Concerns are mounting as rights advocates voice apprehension over the treatment of migrants in Bosnia and Herzegovina, following a proposal by the UK government to designate Bosnia as a return hub. A return hub serves as a location where asylum seekers whose claims have been rejected in other countries are returned while awaiting repatriation to their countries of origin.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has been vocal in its criticism, noting the existing challenges within Bosnia’s detention system. Hugh Williamson, Europe and Central Asia Director at HRW, has pointed to an “already troubling” detention environment, raising doubts about Bosnia’s ability to manage an influx of rejected asylum seekers from the UK. HRW’s analysis, detailed in their recent statement, revealed inefficiencies and concerns such as prolonged detention due to delayed asylum seeker processing.
A deeper exploration into Bosnia’s detention centers conducted in April 2025 exposed significant issues. Although HRW representatives visited the facilities, they faced barriers such as being unable to privately interview detainees. The nonprofit legal aid organization, Vasa Prava BiH, later contradicted claims from detention center staff regarding the conditions, highlighting a lack of access to mental health counseling and ignorance among detainees about their right to free legal assistance.
This situation is compounded by findings reported in a collective submission from rights groups, pointing out practices such as withholding phone access from detainees and failing to inform them about legal aid and asylum procedures. Moreover, the detention of children within these centers violates Article 37 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Further complicating matters is the average 282-day processing time for asylum applications, a figure noted in a UNHCR report. This delay leaves asylum seekers in a precarious position, lacking fundamental rights and unable to seek legal employment for nine months post-registration.
The situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina raises important questions about the response capacity of countries designated as return hubs and underscores the urgent need for improved conditions and processes for those awaiting asylum decisions. More details can be found in the full report by JURIST.